Furnace regulator



April 24, 1934. D MURDOCH 1,956,297

FURNACE REGULATOR Filed Feb. 24, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l nveutoz April 24, 1934. D. M. MURDOCH FURNACE REGULATOR Filed Feb. 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ell .IEBEE Sumo/Wm Patented Apr. 24, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to furnace regulators. The principal object of this invention is to provide a regulator for heaters in order to provide improved mechanism whereby the combustion of the fuel in the furnace may be controlled to maintain the heat produced by the furnace substantially uniform, or at least within certain defined limits.

A further object is to provide automatic means for simultaneously closing or opening a damper in an outlet pipe of a furnace and opening or closing a draft door leading to a chamber below a grate supporting the fuel in the furnace so that when the damper is being closed the air draft door is being opened and when the damper is being opened the air draft door is being closed.

A further object is to provide means for manually setting a control device for the purpose of changing the range of the automatic control'of the damper and air draft door.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for preventing fuel, ashes, and the like from obstructing a free action of the air draft door.

A further object is to provide means attached to a feed door of a furnace for closing the damper positioned in an outlet pipe of the furnace and the air draft door when the fed door is opened for the purpose of firing the furnace.

A still further object is to provide an adjustable operating member, the lower end of which is.

secured to a base portion of the furnace while the upper end is pivoted to a fulcrum arm which is secured in a pivoted manner to an outlet pipe of the furnace.

I am aware that furnaces have been constructed in which the utilization of expansion and contraction of the furnace is employed to regulate air drafts and dampers in relation to the control of the furnace heat. I, therefore, do not claim the idea in a broad sense of setting up all the means of regulation for a furnace where expansion and contraction of the furnace is used but my invention resides more particularly in the simple construction providing more efficient regulation and in being adaptable to installation upon ordinary furnaces set up and in use which do not provide for any automatic heat regulators.

It'is understood that while this device is primarily constructed for warm air furnaces, it might also be used on heating devices of other types and for other purposes besides that of heating buildings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which Will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and. arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the inven-- tion.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a furnace with parts broken away showing my regulating device installed thereon.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view showing the hinged operating arm attached to the feed door of the furnace shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of a manually controlled device and connecting parts, shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of Figure 3 partly in cross section.

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on line 55 of Figure 1 with parts broken away.

Figure, 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of Figure 5.

By referring to Figure 1 it will be seen that there is provided a furnace 1 positioned upon a base member 2. This furnace 1 is of ordinary construction having an outlet pipe 3 leading to a chimney or flue. This outlet pipe 3 is provided with a damper opening 4. The furnace 1 is provided with a feed door 5 and an ash pit door 6.

By referring to Figures 1 and 5 it will be seen that there is provided a lug '7 secured to the base member 2. This lug 7.is secured in a pivoted manner to an adjustable operating member 3. The upper portion 9 of the adjustable operating member 8 is curved so as to position an extreme upper end 10 of the upper portion 9 above the outlet pipe 3. This extreme upper end 10 is connected in a pivoted manner to a fulcrum arm 11 by means of a pivot pin 12. A fulcrum 13 passes through this fulcrum arm 11 at a point 14. This fulcrum 13 is threaded for adjustment and is provided with a ball joint connection 15 to a bracket 16 carried upon a support band 17 which is in turn carried upon the outlet pipe 3. It will be seen that this support hand 17 is in two parts held together by means of bolts 18 in order to provide for easy and accurate installation. The fulcrum arm 11 is provided with a plurality of holes 19 in order to provide means for adjustment for a pulley 20 carried upon the outer end 21 of the fulcrum arm 11.

It is obvious that when the furnace 1 expands or contracts the outlet pipe 3 will be raised or lowered due to the fact that this outlet pipe 3 is connected to an upper portion of the furnace 1. It is also obvious that the fulcrum arm 11 will carry the pulley 20 upwardly when the furnace expands and downwardly when the furnace contracts.

In the operation of the device it will be seen that the pulley 20 carries a chain 22, the upper end of which is securely attached to a ceiling 23 at a point 24. This chain 22 passes through idlers 25 and 26. The lower end 27 of the chain 22 is secured to a drum 28. This drum 28 is supported upon a link bar 29 which is carried by a pair of oppositely disposed support arms 30 which are secured in a pivoted manner to a bracket 31 by means of pivot bolts 32.

By referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the drum 28 is secured to the link bar 29 by means of a bolt 33. It will be seen that the drum 28 has an outer flange 35 and is rotatably positioned upon the bolt 33. The bolt 33 also carries a friction disk 34 which is rigidly secured thereto. This friction disk 34 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed securing brackets 36 which support an indicator hand 37. The outer flange 35 carries a stop pin 38 in order to prevent unwinding of the drum 28 beyond a predetermined point.

It will also be seen that there is provided a damper 39 positioned in a pivoted manner within the damper opening 4, by means of a pivot pin 40. It will also be seen that this damper 39 is provided with a support 41 which is an integral part of a damper control 42. This damper control 42 is also pivoted by means of the pivot pin 40. The object of installing the damper 39 so that it may swing shut independently of the movement of the damper control 42 is to provide means for instantly closing the damper opening 4 should an undesirable explosion or unusual outrush of gases and smoke be forced through the outlet pipe 3. Ordinarily the damper 39 is regulated by means of the damper control 42 which is heavier than the damper 39 and normally closes the damper 39 when not held open by means of a chain 43. This chain 43 passes over idlers 44 and 45 and has its lower end attached to an end 46 of the upper one of the oppositely disposed support arms 30.

By referring to Figures 1 and 3 it will be seen that there is provided a chain 47, the upper end of which is secured to an outer end 48 of the lower one of the oppositely disposed support arms 30. A lower end of this chain 47 passes through an opening in an end of an air draft manipulating arm 49. This air draft manipulating arm 49 is attached to a hinged air draft door 58. The lower end of this chain 47 is secured to a weight 50.

It will also be seen that there is provided a chain 51 which is secured to the idlers 26 and 45 and passes over idlers 52 and 53 and 54. The

lower end of this chain 51 is secured to the outer 20 will be carried upwardly as the same i indirectly carried upon the outlet pipe 3 which is attached to an upper portion of the furnace 1. This action will cause a downward movement of the oppositely disposed support arms 30. This action is brought about due to the weight 50 attached to the lower end of the chain 47 taking up the slack in the chain 22. By this action the damper 39 has been opened and the hinged air draft door 58 has been closed. When the furnace becomes relatively cold the pulley 20 is carried downwardly and a reverse action of the damper 39 and the hinged air draft door 58 takes place. In order that a predetermined range of control may be set up the flange 35 and drum 28 may be rotated clockwise in order to increase the range of opening and of checking the damper 39 and the hinged air draft door 58. By referring to Figure 1 it will be seen that there is provided an ash shield 59 which is positioned directly above hinges 69 of the hinged air draft door 58 in order to prevent ashes, fuel, or the like from interfering with the free movement of the hinged air draft door 58.

What I claim is:-

1. In a furnace having an outlet pipe with a damper positioned therein and an air draft door positioned so as to admit air to a chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the furnace, an operating member secured to a base portionof the furnace and having an upper end above the outlet pipe, a support band carried upon said outlet pipe, a bracket carried upon said support band, a fulcrum arm attached to the upper end of said operating member, means for supporting said fulcrum arm on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, chain means carried on said pulley for opening said damper and simultaneously closing the air .draft door when the furnace becomes relatively hot and for closing said damper and simultaneously opening the air draft door when the furnace becomes relatively cold.

2. In a heating apparatus having an outlet pipe with a damper positioned therein and an air draft door positioned so as to admit air to a chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the furnace, a regulator device comprising an operating member secured to a base portion of said heating apparatus and having an upper end positioned above the outlet pipe on said heating apparatus, a support band carried upon said outlet pipe, a bracket carried upon said support band, a ful-. crum arm attached to the upper end of said operating member, means for supporting said ful crum arm on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, chain means carried on said pulley for slowly opening, said damper and simultaneously slowly. closing the air draft door when the heating-apparatus be-,

comes relatively hot and for slowly closing said damper and simultaneously slowly opening the air draft door when the heating apparatus be comes relatively cold, a damper control, a support for said damper being an integral part of said damper control, a pivot pin holding said damper and holding said damper control and support for the purpose of allowing said damper to close independently of the damper control.

3. In a furnace having an outlet'pipe'with a damper positioned therein and an air draft door positioned so as to admit air to a chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the furnace, an operating member secured to a base portion of the furnace and having an upper end above the ,outlet pipe, 2. support band carried upon said outlet pipe, a bracket carried upon said support band, a

fulcrum arm attached to the upper end of said operating member, a fulcrum for supporting said fulcrum arm on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, a bracket secured to said furnace, a pair of oppositely disposed support arms pivoted to said bracket, a link carried by said oppositely disposed support arms, a drum supported on said link, a chain firmly secured to any stationary object and carried through said pulley and through suitable idlers to said drum, a draft manipulating arm attached to said air draft door, a secondary chain attached to the lower one of said oppositely disposed support arms and connecting with said draft manipulating arm, a damper control, a support for said damper being an integral part of said damper control, a third chain attached to said damper control and carried through idlers to the upper one of said oppositely disposed support arms.

4. In a heating apparatus having an outlet pipe with a damper positioned therein and an air d'raft door positioned so as to admit air to a l chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, a plurality of openings in said fulcrum arm providing for adjustment of said pulley, a pair of oppositely disposed support arms mounted on a bracket attached to the heat- 1 ing apparatus, a link supported by said oppositely disposed support arms, a drum attached to said link, a flexible device firmly secured to a stationary object and carried upon said pulley on the outer end of said fulcrum arm and riding over '1 suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with said drum for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the fulcrum arm to the drum and the pair of oppositely disposed support arms, a draft manipulating arm attached to said air draft door, a secondary flexible device connected to said draft manipulating arm and to the lower one of said oppositely disposed support arms for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the oppositely disposed support arms to the draft manipulating arm on the air draft door, a damper control, a support for said damper being an integral part of said damper control, a third flexible device connected to said damper control and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with the upper one of the pair of oppositely disposed support arms for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the oppositely disposed support arms to the damper control.

5. In a heating apparatus having a feed door and having an outlet pipe with a damper positioned therein and an air draft door positioned so as to admit air to a chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the furnace, a regulator device comprising an adjustable operating member secured to a base portion of the heating apparatus and having an upper end above said outlet pipe, an adjustable support band carried upon said outlet pipe, a bracket carried upon said adjustable support band, a fulcrum arm attached to the upper end of said adjustable operating member,

an adjustable fulcrum for supporting said fulcrum arm on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, a plurality of openings in said fulcrum arm providing for adjustment of said pulley, a pair of oppositely disposed support arms mounted on a bracket a tached to the heating apparatuaa link supported by'said oppositely disposed support a drum attached to said link, a flexible device firmly secured to a stationary object and carried upon said pulley on the outer end of said fulcrum arm and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with said drum for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the fulcrum arm to the drum and the pair of oppositely disposed support arms, a draft manipulating arm attached to said air draft door, a secondary flexible device connected to said draft manipulating arm and to the lower one of said oppositely disposed support arms for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the oppositely disposed support arms to the draft manipulating arm on the air draft door, a damper control, a support for said damper being an integral part of said damper control, a third flexible device connected to said damper control and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with the upper one of the pair of oppositely disposed support arms for the purpose of transmitting the move ment of the oppositely disposed support arms to the damper control. a hinged operating arm at tached to the feed door of. the heating apparatus, a fourth flexible device connected to said hinged operating arm and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with idlers carrying the first and third flexible devices for the purpose of allowing for the closing of the draf door and closing of the damper independent of the action of the fulcrum arm when the feed door is opened.

6. In a heating apparatus ln-ving a feed door and having an outlet pipe with a damper positioned therein and an air draft door positioned so as to admit air to a chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the furnace, a regulator device comprising an adjustable operating member secured to a base portion of the heating apparatus and having an upper end above said outlet pipe, an adjustable support band carried upon said outlet pipe, a bracket carried upon said adjustable support band, a fulcrum arm attached to the upper end of said adjustable operating member, an adjustable fulcrum for supporting said fulcrum arm on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, a plurality of openings in said fulcrum arm providing for aoljustment of said pulley, a pair of oppositely disposed support arms mounted on a bracket attached to the heating apparatus, a link supported by said oppositely disposed support arms, a drum attached to said link, a flexible device firmly secured to a stationary object and carried upon said pulley on the outer end of said fulcrum arm and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with said drum for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the fulcrum arm to the drum and the pair of oppositely disposed support arms, a draft manipulating arm attached to said air draft door, a secondary flexible device connected to said draft manipulating arm and to the lower one of said oppositely disposed support arms for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the oppositely disposed support arms to the draft manipulating arm on the air draft door, a damper control, a support for said damper being an integral part of said damper control, a third flexible device connected to said damper control and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with the upper one of the pair of oppositely disposed support arms for the purpose of transmitting the movement of the oppositely disposed support arms to the damper control, a hinged operating arm attached to the feed door of the heating apparatus, a fourth flexible device connected to said hinged operating arm and riding over suitable idlers for connection at its opposite end with idlers carrying the first and third flexible devices for the purpose of allowing for the closing of the draft door and closing of the damper independent of the action of the fulcrum arm when the feed door is opened, a friction disk in engagement with an outer flange of said drum, a pair of oppositely disposed securing brackets mounted on said friction disk, an indicator hand mounted on said oppositely disposed securing brackets, a stop pin positioned on said outer flange of said drum in order to prevent the unwinding of the drum beyond a predetermined point in order to provide for a heat range control of the device.

7. In a furnace having an outlet pipe with a damper positioned therein and an air draft door positioned so as to admit air to a chamber below a grate supporting fuel in the furnace, an operating member secured to a base portion of the furnace and having an upper end above the outlet pipe, a support band carried upon said outlet pipe, a bracket carried upon said support band, a fulcrum arm attached to the upper end of said operating member, means for supporting said fulcrum arm on said bracket, a pulley carried upon an outer end of said fulcrum arm, chain means carried on said pulley for opening said damper and simultaneously closing the air draft door when the furnace becomes relatively hot and for closing said damper and simultaneously opening the air draft door when the furnace becomes relatively cold, an ash shield positioned directly above the hinged air draft door in order to prevent ashes or fuel from interfering with the movement of the hinged air draft door.

DAVID M. MURDOCH. 

